Montgomery Country Heritage Days, June 25 & 26, 2011

Each year, on the last weekend of June, Heritage Montgomery hosts its signature event – the annual Heritage Days Celebration. This two-day, free-of-charge, county-wide festival offers visitors an opportunity to sample numerous sites representing the history, culture, and natural beauty of Montgomery County.

As part of our commemoration of the Civil War Sesquicentennial, Washington Revels will be appearing at multiple heritage sites throughout the weekend. Come listen to our heritage ensembles – Jubilee Voices, Heritage Voices (pictured to the right at the Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival), and Maritime Voices. Meet historical characters – President Abraham Lincoln, Reverend Philip Johnson, Enoch George Howard, Johanna Plummer, and a fine lady of the South.

Schedule of Performances

All of Washington Revels' Heritage Days appearances are decribed below. To learn about other activities during the Heritage Days weekend, you can view a complete schedule of events at the Heritage Montgomery Web site.

Saturday, June 25

Underground Railroad Trail Hikes
Join volunteer “conductors” on guided hikes along a simulated Underground Railroad trail. The 2-mile trail winds through fields, woods and across streams to historic Sandy Spring. Learn various techniques that freedom seekers used to elude pursuers. Listen to true, fascinating and heartbreaking stories, along the way. Meet the historic characters of Quaker woman Johanna Plummer and Governor Thomas Hicks. Appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Times: Three 90-minute hikes beginning at 10am, 11am, and 12pm
Location: Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park, 16501 Norwood Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Seneca Aqueduct and Lockhouse (Riley’s Lockhouse)
The C&O Canal Association will give tours of the aqueduct. Learn about the historic and scenic lockhouse and listen to an interpreter give detailed information and handouts on the C&O National Historical Park and the C&O Canal Association. Enjoy canal songs by the Washington Revels Maritime Voices. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: Noon
Location: Seneca Aqueduct and Lockhouse, River Road and Riley’s Lock Road, Poolesville, MD 20837

Sandy Spring Slave Museum and African Art Gallery
Step back in time and tour the cross-section of a slave clipper ship, the Arts Pavilion and Slave Log Cabin. View art and artifacts in the Great Hall. Washington Revels Jubilee Voices will perform a variety of songs including shouts, hollers, spirituals, laments, ballads, and children’s songs. Interact with historical characters Abraham Lincoln, Philip Johnson, and Enoch George Howard. Food will be available for sale. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: 12:30pm
Location: Sandy Spring Slave Museum, 18524 Brooke Road, Sandy Spring, MD 20860

Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park
Built as one of three cabins housing African American tenants during the late 1800s, Oakley Cabin became part of a large African American roadside community. Bring the family and enjoy guided tours, demonstrations of 19th-century crafts, and a special musical performance by the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: 2:00pm
Location: Oakley Cabin, 3610 Brookeville Road, Olney, MD 20832; Park at Longwood Local Park, 19300 Georgia Avenue, Olney. Shuttle service will be provided.

Sugarland Ethno History Project
Tour the historic 1893 church and cemetery and see artifacts and historical documents. “Spiritual Harmony” will perform the story of Sugarland’s history in skit and song via old Negro hymns. Meet Civil War characters Abraham Lincoln, ex-slave Philip Johnson, and Quaker woman Johanna Plummer. Refreshments. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: 2:00pm
Location: Historic St. Paul Community Church, 14730 Sugarland Road, Poolesville, MD 20837

Canal Songs at the Monocacy Aqueduct at the C&O Canal
Visit this restored 174-year old seven-arched aqueduct that spans 516 feet in length over the Monocacy River. Listen to an interpreter talk about the aqueduct and its history. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the view. Civil War reenactors will be on hand. Washington Revels Maritime Voices will be performing canal songs. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: 2:00pm
Location: Monocacy Aqueduct at the C&O Canal, Route 28 and Mouth of the Monocacy Road, Dickerson, MD

Sunday, June 26

Civil War Era Music at Poolesville’s Whalen Common Bandshell
Washington Revels Heritage Voices will perform Civil War era music at 1:00 PM. Special guest President Abraham Lincoln will address visitors. Life in a War Zone: Montgomery County during the Civil War – for which Revels created the soundtrack, and featuring Revels own Greg Lewis as narrator – will be screened in the Town Hall. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: Heritage Voices at 1:00pm, "Life in a War Zone" screening at 2:30pm
Location: Whalen Common Bandshell, 19721 Beall Street, Poolesville, MD 20837

Civil War Era Music at Glen Echo Park
In commemoration of the Civil War sesquicentennial, Glen Echo Park presents Washington Revels Heritage Voices and the Roustabout String Band performing Civil War era music. Meet President Lincoln and his secretary John Nicolay. Watch and learn dances from the late 1800s. Craft activities for children. Appropriate for all ages.

Time: Roustabout String Band at 2:00pm, Heritage Voices (with Roustabout) at 3:30 & 4:15pm
Location: Glen Echo Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD 20812